Bridge for submarines.



H. M. DE GRAW. BRIDGE FOR SUBMARINES. APPLICATION FILED SEPT-2|. I916.

Patented Aug. 6, 1918.

2 SHEETS--SHEET 1 anucwfoz:

rERs m. Pnomunm. WASHINGTON. n. a

H. M. DE GRAW.

BRIDGE FOR SUBMARINES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT-2|. m6.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES rA ENT OFFICE.

HAROLD MASON DE GRAW, on NEW LONDON, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR To LECTR C BOAT COMPANY, A CORPORATION 01' NEW JERSEY.

BRIDGE r03. sUBMAnnvI-Js.

To all whom it may concern: l

Be it known that I, HAROLD M. DE GRAw, a citizen of theUnited'States, and a resident of New London, in the county of New London and State of Connecticut, have invented certain'new and useful Improvements in Bridges for Submarines and I do'hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to submarine boats,: and provides an improved bridge structure may be folded out of the way when the boat is submerged; the auxiliary platforms and the bracing elements all being perma-v nently attached to the boat at points adjacent to the fixed bridge.

The invention will be most clearly understood from the following description, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, of which- Figure lis a top plan view, partially broken away, of the bridge extended; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the bridge extended; Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a perspective view, on an enlarged scale, showing a detail of construction. r

A permanent platform or fixed bridge 5 is secured in place on top of the connin tower 6 carried by the hull 7. Y Access to the interior of the boat may be had from the bridge by way of a hatch 8 and conning tower 6. v Y Y I A pair of two-part auxiliary platforms or folding extensions 9 are hinged to the side edges of the fixed bridge 5 as indicated at 10. These side extensions 9 may thus be extended as shown in full lines, or folded Specification of Letters Patent.

V Patented Aug. 6, 1918'.

Application filed September 21, 1916. Serial No. 121,366.

over upon the fixed "bridge as shown in broken lines in Figs. 1 and 3. Each sideextension 9 is preferably formed of two separate leaves 9 and 9 these four leaves being each separately hinged to the fixed bridge by its own pair of hinges, so that each leaf may be moved independently of any other thus to facilitate quick changes of the bridge structure from extended to col lapsed condition and vice versa.

Pivotally mounted in suitable pockets 11 are a plurality of brackets 12, These brackets are vertically .piv0ted,and thus,

while always extending in a horizontal plane, may be swung out to support the extended side-extensions 9, as shown in full lines, or swung in under the fixed bridge 5, as shown in broken lines in Figs. 1 and 2, when the side-extensions are folded over upon the fixed bridge.

The outer ends of the brackets 12 are provided with recesses 13 to register with holes 14: in the side-extensions 9 when the bridge structure is extended. These samerecesses 13 register with holes 15 in the side extensions and with holes 15 in the fixed bridge when the bridge structure is collapsed. Whether the bridge structure is collapsed or. extended, suitable pins or bolts may cooperate with these recesses and holes to lock the brackets and side extensions in place. It is preferred, however, to use the feet of stanchions 16 for the purpose of locking the side extensions to the brackets when the bridge structure is extended; and, in addition to the bolts or pins for locking the brackets in retracted position, to provide suitable latches (not shown) to lock the fixed bridge 5 practically flush.

The bridge structure is extended when cruising on the surface, and as thus extended is of great strength and rigidity.

hasty submergence is required, the

bridge structure may be entirely collapsed and all parts stowed away or made safely fast, if merely the stanchions I6 and their attached life-lines are removed and -*pass'ed down the hatch 8, the side extensions 9 are folded over, and the bracket-s12 areswung into their pockets 11; all very simple operalions which may beiu'ii ckly erformed. thus collapsed, the entire bridge "structure is compact; is inconspicuous when the boat is awash; and may add only a negligible resistance to propulsion when :the boat is submerged.

I claim:

1. A collapsible b'ridge structure for'submarines comprising, in combination, a fixed bridge, a plurality of side extensions,.foldable supporting brackets for the side exten= sions having stanchion-receiving sockets near their extremities, the side extensions having perforations registering withsaid sockets when the parts are extended, and stanchions haying end portions adapted to pass "through the perforationsand into the sockets to secure the parts in extended posiets nea'r' :theirextremities, the side extensi on 4 having perforations registering with said sockets when the :parts are extended, and

- stanchions having end portions adapted to pass through the perforations and into the sockets to secure the 'parts in extended posi tion.

Intestimony whereof I aflix my signature.

HAROLD MASON DE GRAW.

Gop'ies of this patent maybe obtained for fi ve cents eaoh,-'b y address1-ng the Commissioner ut'ratcma,

Washington, D. 0. 

